• Asking for help is OK! Make a list with your child of people they can reach out to for help if/when needed.
• Create a ‘help signal’ that your child can use when they have a problem that needs adult help.
• Reach out for your own support and help others who are going through difficult times.

• Take care of your own health and show that managing stress is a priority.
• Let go of being perfect. Everyone makes mistakes – this helps us learn and grow.
• Take responsibility for your feelings and actions especially when children are around (e.g., “Oops, I made a mistake, but I can make up for it by …”)

• Give kids lots of smiles and hugs to help them feel secure, loved and accepted. 
• Help your child identify and express their feelings. It’s OK to have a range of feelings and it’s healthy to express feelings in a constructive way. 
• Listen to your child’s thoughts, feelings and ideas. Doing so tells your child that what they have to say is important.

• Expect your child to help out. Although it’s often easier to do things yourself, children learn new skills and feel a sense of accomplishment when they help. 
• Help your child practice kindness, compassion and empathy – encourage them to think of ways to help others or involve them when you help people. 
• Involve kids in family traditions. Tell stories about their culture to help your child feel good about their own identity. 

• Help your child talk about their thoughts. Asking “What are you thinking?” is often met by “I don’t know”. Instead ask questions like “What is your head telling you?”
• Play thinking games together to help kids think about their actions and how to handle a situation (e.g., “What would happen if …?”)
• Encourage your child to imagine another way of doing something. This helps them learn there is often more than one way to do things. 

Is it a Cold, the Flu or Norovirus?

• Your family doctor’s office – ages 6 months and over
• Pharmacies – ages 5+
• The Perth District Health Unit. For those who do not have a family doctor and who wish to receive a flu shot or have their child receive their first or second dose of FluMist vaccine.

Fluoride - Fact vs. Fiction

• consider using water with a lower fluoride level from another source for drinking, cooking and mixing frozen fruit juices.
• if you have decided to give your baby/child commercial formula, use another source of water to prepare infant formula or use prepared, ready-to-use formula instead.

• Non-fluoridated bottled water
• Use a water treatment device, such as reverse osmosis, to remove fluoride
• Note: pitcher filters (e.g. Brita) do not remove fluoride.

• Use a non-fluoride toothpaste or no toothpaste at all until your child is three years of age, unless a dental professional advises otherwise
• Use only a green pea-sized amount of toothpaste for your child
• Teach your child to spit out excess toothpaste, to not swallow toothpaste, and to rinse well after brushing
• Never give fluoridated mouthwash or mouth rinse to children under six years of age, as they may swallow it
• Do not use fluoride supplements (drop or tablets) unless specifically recommended by your dental professional

Water Does Wonders - Take the Pledge and Drink More!

• Drink water yourself and let kids see you doing it
• Keep sugary drinks out of the house and a jug of water in the fridge
• Promote water and make it easy to get in places where kids learn and play (schools, rec centres, arenas, etc.)
• Have kids carry a refillable water bottle with them whenever possible

Links we Like from Around the Web!

• Kids Health 
• Canadian Self Regulation Initiative